scholarly journals Omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy and risk of infant maltreatment: a nationwide birth cohort – the Japan Environment and Children's Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kenta Matsumura ◽  
Kei Hamazaki ◽  
Akiko Tsuchida ◽  
Hidekuni Inadera ◽  

Abstract Background Intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has favorable effects, including reducing violent and aggressive behaviors, but its association with infant maltreatment is unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that maternal intake of omega-3 PUFAs is associated with a lower risk of infant maltreatment. Methods Participants were 92 191 mothers involved in the ongoing Japan Environment and Children's Study. Omega-3 PUFA intake during pregnancy was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Infant maltreatment was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire administered at 1 and 6 months postpartum. Results Analysis using the lowest quintile of intake as a reference revealed that the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cases of ‘hitting’ decreased as quintiles increased, with values for the second to fifth quintiles of 0.93 (95% CI 0.77–1.13), 0.79 (95% CI 0.64–0.97), 0.78 (95% CI 0.64–0.96), and 0.72 (95% CI 0.59–0.89), respectively. Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for ‘shaking very hard’ at 6 months were 0.87 (0.73–1.04), 0.81 (0.67–0.97), 0.73 (0.61–0.89), and 0.78 (0.65–0.94), respectively. Adjusted ORs for ‘leaving alone at home’ for the second to fifth quintiles were 0.92 (0.87–0.98), 0.91 (0.86–0.97), 0.94 (0.88–0.99), and 0.85 (0.80–0.90), respectively. Conclusions Higher maternal intake of omega-3 PUFAs during pregnancy was associated with fewer cases of hitting and violent shaking and leaving the child alone at home, implying a lower risk of infant maltreatment. Our results indicate the potential applicability of omega-3 PUFAs in reducing infant maltreatment.

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana C Del Gobbo ◽  
Stella Aslibekyan ◽  
Pascale Barberger-Gateau ◽  
Hannia Campos ◽  
Stephanie E Chiuve ◽  
...  

Background: Recent trials have raised questions about the role of seafood-derived long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for prevention of CHD; and evidence linking intermediate-chain omega-3 fatty acids to CHD remains weak. Methods: We developed a global consortium of 17 prospective (cohort or nested case-control) and retrospective studies having circulating or tissue biomarker measures of eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosapentaenoic (DPA; 22:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), and α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3). Each study ascertained CHD risk, including total CHD, nonfatal MI, and/or fatal CHD. Associations of each omega-3 fatty acid biomarker with CHD were evaluated within each cohort using standardized models, exposures, outcomes, and covariates across studies. Omega-3 fatty acid levels were analyzed continuously (per SD) and categorically (quintiles), and study-specific estimates were centrally pooled using fixed effects meta-analysis. Results: Current findings (Oct 2013) were based on 13 of 17 participating studies, including 7105 total CHD, 4926 nonfatal MI, and 2466 fatal CHD events. In both continuous and categorical multivariable-adjusted analyses, each omega-3 biomarker was inversely associated with fatal CHD. For each 1 SD unit increment, ALA was associated with 9% lower risk [HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.84-0.99)]; EPA, with 8% lower risk [HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.85-1.00)]; DPA, with 8% lower risk [HR: 0.92 (0.87-0.98)]; and DHA, with 9% lower risk [HR: 0.91 (0.86-0.96)] (Figure). Associations with total CHD and nonfatal MI were generally weaker and non-significant, except for EPA and nonfatal MI [HR: 0.93 (0.89-0.98)] and DHA and nonfatal MI [HR: 0.95 (0.91-0.99)]. Conclusions: Based on all available studies from around the world, both long and intermediate-chain omega-3 fatty acids, measured using objective biomarkers, are associated with lower risk of fatal CHD. These findings support potential benefit of omega-3 fatty acids for reducing CHD death.


OCL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artemis P. Simopoulos

The tissue composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is important to health and depends on both dietary intake and metabolism controlled by genetic polymorphisms that should be taken into consideration in the determination of nutritional requirements, obesity and chronic disease risk. Experimental and clinical intervention studies suggest that omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have opposing physiological and metabolic properties and elicit divergent effects on body fat gain through mechanisms of adipogenesis, browning of adipose tissue, lipid homeostasis, systemic inflammation and an increase in the tone of the endocannabinoid system. Overweight and obese individuals have higher levels of the arachidonic acid (AA) derived endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and an altered pattern of receptor expression. Since endocannabinoids are products of dietary fats, modification of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid intake modulates the endocannabinoids, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) displacing AA from cell membranes, reducing AEA and 2-AG production, resulting in decrease in appetite and food intake leading to weight loss. Polygenic risk scores reveal susceptibility and an increase risk for obesity. Therefore, persons at risk for obesity will have to lower omega-6 and increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake in order to have a balanced ratio for health. A process needs to be established to define when genomic discoveries such as gene-nutrient-disease associations are “ready” to be evaluated as potential tools for personalized nutrition to improve public health.


Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia C Eufinger ◽  
Viola Vaccarino

Introduction: Evidence from previous studies suggests that dietary marine omega-3 fatty acids have cardioprotective properties. However, our understanding of the mechanism for these beneficial effects remains limited. We sought to examine the association between marine omega-3 fatty acid intake and coronary flow reserve (CFR), a measure of overall coronary vasodilator capacity and microvascular function. Hypothesis: Increased dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids is associated with higher CFR. Methods: A sample of 259 male middle-aged twins, including 115 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs and 29 unpaired twins, with no previous history of coronary heart disease (CHD), was recruited from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Prior to the study visit, all twins completed a 3-day food record detailing their diet for the previous three days. Dietary information was analyzed using specialized nutrition software and reported intakes of various types of fish were used to derive marine omega-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) intake. CFR was measured using positron emission tomography [N 13 ] ammonia with quantitation of myocardial blood flow at rest and after adenosine stress. Mixed-effect regression analysis was used to assess the association between marine omega-3 fatty acid intake and CFR both at the individual level and within twin pairs. Potential confounders included demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors (including physical activity), traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, use of omega-3 and multivitamin supplements, total energy intake, and other nutritional factors such as intake of cholesterol, sodium, alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Results: The twins’ mean age was 54 years (SD = 3.0) and 93.1% (241 out of 259) were white. An increase in dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids of 1 g/d was associated with a 7.6% higher CFR (95% CI: 0.6, 15.2) after adjustment for potential confounders ( P = 0.033). This association also persisted within twin pairs: a 1 g/d within-pair difference in dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a 16.3% higher CFR in the twin with the greater dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids than in the co-twin with the lower dietary intake ( P = 0.020). These associations did not differ by zygosity. Conclusions: Dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids is directly associated with CFR, a measure of coronary microvascular function, independent of traditional CVD risk factors and shared familial and genetic factors. Our study suggests a potential novel mechanism for the protective effects of dietary marine omega-3 fatty acids on the cardiovascular system and supports the benefit of consuming marine omega-3 fatty acids to promote cardiovascular health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie V de Seymour ◽  
Lucy A Simmonds ◽  
Jacqueline Gould ◽  
Maria Makrides ◽  
Philippa Middleton

Abstract Background Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under five. A recent Cochrane review found a 42% reduction in early preterm birth (< 34 weeks’ gestation) and 11% reduction in preterm birth (< 37 weeks’ gestation) with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. To assist in the development of implementation strategies to increase pregnant women’s omega-3 fatty acid intake, we assessed the awareness of Australian pregnant women about preterm birth, their nutrition and supplementation behaviours during pregnancy, and intentions to increase omega-3 fatty acid intake. Methods A ten-minute survey was conducted online to assess the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and intentions of Australian pregnant women across three domains: (1) preterm birth; (2) nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy; and (3) omega-3 fatty acid consumption to prevent preterm birth. Participants were recruited from Survey Sampling International’s research panels. Results Of the 763 women who completed the survey, less than two-thirds had heard of preterm birth. Over 55% of respondents had changed their diet during pregnancy and a prenatal dietary supplement was consumed by 82% of the women surveyed. Respondents’ main source of information about preterm birth and nutrition during pregnancy was from a health professional. When asked about their intentions to increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake following a health professional’s recommendation, the vast majority of participants indicated they would increase their omega-3 fatty acid intake (90%). When a hypothetical scenario was presented of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement being offered from a health service at no cost, the number of respondents who selected they would increase their intake through supplementation increased from 54 to 79%. Conclusions The main information source for women about preterm birth and dietary supplementation recommendations during pregnancy is their health professional. Therefore, informing women about ways to prevent preterm birth, including the role of omega-3 fatty acids, should occur during antenatal visits. The results from our study are useful for clinicians caring for pregnant women and for the next stage of translation of the Cochrane review findings – the design of implementation strategies to increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy where needed.


Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu ◽  
Eiriksson ◽  
Thorsteinsdóttir ◽  
Simonsen

Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) often produce high amounts of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (vl-PUFAs) including arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 △5,8,11,14) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 △5,8,11,14,17). The presence of vl-PUFAs is common for marine organisms such as algae, but rarely found in higher plants. This could indicate that bryophytes did not lose their marine origin completely when they landed into the non-aqueous environment. Vl-PUFA, especially the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, is essential in human diet for its benefits on healthy brain development and inflammation modulation. Recent studies are committed to finding new sources of vl-PUFAs instead of fish and algae oil. In this review, we summarize the fatty acid compositions and contents in the previous studies, as well as the approaches for qualification and quantification. We also conclude different approaches to enhance AA and EPA productions including biotic and abiotic stresses.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juçara X. Zaparoli ◽  
Eduardo K. Sugawara ◽  
Altay A.L. de Souza ◽  
Sérgio Tufik ◽  
José Carlos F. Galduróz

Background: High oxidative stress, which is caused by smoking, can alter omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. Since omega-3 fatty acids play a role in dopaminergic neurotransmission related to dependence, it is important to understand their effects on nicotine dependence. Methods: This research comprised 2 studies. The first one consisted of a cross-sectional evaluation, in which the levels of the most important omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were compared between smokers and non-smokers in a sample of 171 individuals; of them, 120 were smokers and 51 were non-smokers. The other study was a clinical, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, in which 63 smokers received daily treatment with capsules of fish oil (a source of omega-3/3 g/day) or mineral oil (used as placebo, also 3 g/day), taken 3 times a day for 90 days. Each fish oil capsules contained approximately 210.99 mg EPA and 129.84 mg of DHA. The outcome was evaluated by means of psychometric and biological measures as well as self-reports of tobacco use. The evaluations were carried out at the beginning of treatment and once a month thereafter (total of 4 times). Outcomes: The omega-3 fatty acid lipid profile showed that smokers present lower concentrations of DHA. After treatment, the omega-3 group showed a significant reduction in their levels of dependence. Interpretation: Smokers showed lower peripheral levels of omega-3, and treatment with the most important omega-3 fatty acids brought about a reduction in nicotine dependence.


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